Dinner on the Bay: Beach Care Services adds block party

Jan Waddy News Herald Features Editor @PCNHJanWaddy

Thursday

Oct 3, 2019 at 9:25 AM

Hurricane Michael moves annual fundraiser to Panama City

PANAMA CITY — After Hurricane Michael canceled Beach Care Services' 2018 Dinner at the Beach, the fourth annual fundraiser is back Tuesday in a new location with a new name — plus a free block party for the community.

"It is my sincere wish that we use this year's Beach Care Services Dinner to acknowledge the strength and resilience of the 850 community. We are a brave, hardworking and loving community that has come together under the worst of circumstances," said Talena Grawburg, president of Beach Care Services. "As we are in the week of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, this past year has certainly proven who we are, and this event is a great way to celebrate as well as raise money that will stay locally to help families in need."

Everyone who bought tickets, from general admission and bar stools to tables, for Beach Care Services' Dinner at the Beach — scheduled for Oct. 16, 2018, at Spinnaker — will have their tickets honored at this year's Dinner on the Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at The Shrimp Boat Restaurant.

"Spinnaker was not going to open, and we were trying to find a venue to hold it. Shrimp Boat offered to shut down their entire restaurant," said Shannon Richmond, Beach Care Services' chairperson for the event.

VIP entry is at 4 p.m., and dinner is served 5-7 p.m. VIP ticket holders have a plated sit-down dinner, while general admission and bar stool ticket holders have a buffet. As of Oct. 3, 10 bar stool tickets, at $30 each, remained at EventBrite.com; online sales end Oct. 4.

"Barefoot on the Bay will have seating down the side; it took every seat in the house for 800 seats," Richmond said. "About a month ago, everyone started asking for tickets for tables, and we didn't have anymore available."

So, Beach Care Services decided to add its first block party to this year's annual fundraiser, and everyone is invited.

"We wanted to be able to include the entire community," Richmond said.

The block party begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday beside the Shrimp Boat Restaurant, which is on Smith's Yacht Basin at the corner of Beck Avenue and 12th Street. Although the block party is free, donations are appreciated.

According to Chris Pfahl of Legistix Solutions, who is helping with set-up, only the first part of 12th Street next to the restaurant will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Pineapple Willy's and Wicked Wheel owner Bill Buskell, a major benefactor of Beach Care Services, has arranged for Terry Brock & Friends to play at the block party. The stage — complete with lighting and sound — will be set up next to Barefoot on the Bay with a view of St. Andrew Bay as the backdrop. All of the silent auction and raffle prizes also will be set up outside.

"We have $35,000 in silent auction and raffles," Richmond said. "It's bigger and better than ever."

SkyWheel Panama City Beach is providing a $5,000 cash raffle. A major raffle prize from Shimmering Seas Jewelry, valued at more than $3,000, is a three-piece white topaz collection set in sterling silver with 14kt yellow gold accents. A cash bar will be set up with tastings from Dixie Vodka and Chicken Cock Whiskey.

Musicians will play at various locations throughout the evening.

"Inside will be Anne Cline, and outside, in front of the Shrimp Boat, Wally Tirado will be playing," Richmond said. "Upstairs we'll have Jason Bennet and Sean Brewer. The bands start at 6 p.m., and at 7 we will move Anne from downstairs to upstairs where everyone can come."

Only ticket holders are allowed inside the Shrimp Boat and the adjoining Barefoot on the Bay and House of Bourbon till 7 p.m., then the venue is open to the public, who might want to take the party indoors.

The Shrimp Boat Restaurant, owned by By the Sea Resorts, is bringing in extra staff for the event.

Wine for the VIP dinner will be provided by Tom DiBacco of DiBacco Imports. The VIP Plated Dinner begins with a Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, followed by a Florida Heart of Palm salad. Entree options include Braised Short Rib, Amber Beer Brine Roasted Chicken, or Seared Grouper with a Citrus Butter Sauce — all served with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Patty Pan Squash. Vegetarian and vegan options include Spinach Fettuccine.

General and bar stool ticket holders will enjoy a buffet dinner featuring a Seasonal House Salad Mix and entree options of the Braised Short Rib with Onions or Amber Beer Brine Roasted Chicken with Homestyle Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and Patty Pan Squash. The signature drink of the evening, included with General Admission, is "By the Sea," a Blue Long Island Iced Tea.

The Dessert Station for all ticket holders features Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, Key Lime Tartlet and Assorted Petit Fours.

Though this year's name and location have changed, the mission and services by Beach Care Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in '99, remains the same.

Beach Care Services' mission is "to provide short term emergency assistance to people who live on Panama City Beach, and when they require long term or more specialized assistance, refer them to other social service agencies. We are locals helping locals."

Recently, it was announced that sponsor The St. Joe Foundation is making a $10,000 medical/dental donation to the organization. Beach Care Services also provides emergency assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, prescriptions, food and clothing, and refers clients out for employment opportunities.

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